The Caretaker
- Episode aired Sep 27, 2014
- TV-PG
- 45m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
The terrifying Skovox Blitzer is ready to destroy all humanity - but worse, and any second now, Danny Pink and the Doctor are going to meet.The terrifying Skovox Blitzer is ready to destroy all humanity - but worse, and any second now, Danny Pink and the Doctor are going to meet.The terrifying Skovox Blitzer is ready to destroy all humanity - but worse, and any second now, Danny Pink and the Doctor are going to meet.
Matthew Cox
- Skovox Blitzer
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Michelle Gomez
- Missy
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Doctor whistles the first few bars of the Pink Floyd song "Another Brick In The Wall" when he sees Clara scolding the students for playing football near the large chess board.
- GoofsWhen The Doctor is working in the TARDIS, there's a table full of things. After The Doctor, Clara, and Danny leave, Courtney looks in and the table is gone.
- Quotes
Clara Oswald: You can't do this. You cannot pass yourself off as a real person among actual people!
The Doctor: I lived among otters once, for a month... well I sulked. River and I, we had this big fight...
Clara Oswald: Human beings are not otters!
The Doctor: Exactly. It'll be even easier.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Doctor Who Extra: The Caretaker (2014)
Featured review
Fun and enjoyable with some terrific character work.
The Caretaker is very likely to wind up the biggest surprise of Doctor Who's eighth season. What could have been a boring rehash of previous episode (on paper, this is The Lodger crossed with School Reunion) was elevated into one of the shows' funniest, most down right entertaining episodes in years. Whilst this year's Robot of Sherwood tried its hand at comedy for almost its entire runtime, The Caretaker was far more successful in just its opening act. But amongst all this comedy lay potentially the most character development I've ever seen in one episode of Doctor Who. The Doctor, Clara and Danny have all been developed nicely over the course of the series thus far, but The Caretaker alone advanced them brilliantly. And, on top of all of this, we were treated to a simple, time travel free story and a brilliantly effective monster. The Caretaker delivered on all forms.
Also to be praised is Jenna Coleman, who gave her best performance yet in terms of both comic timing and emotional depth. In the space of six episodes, Moffat and Coleman have transformed Clara from potentially the show's weakest companion into a character that has a real connection with the audience that's worth investing time in. It makes me really hope the rumours of her leaving at Christmas are untrue. Capaldi was, as ever, incredible. He is proving himself to be the most versatile Doctor that the show has seen since it's revival, and Doctor Who is all the better for it. And, finally, Anderson gave a terrific performance as Danny, who is probably already the best male sidekick Doctor Who has ever produced. It's been so refreshing to watch Clara and Danny's relationship grow throughout the series, rather than have them together at the beginning. Series 8's new found focus on character has really allowed Moffat to write these characters with more content; his scripting here, along with Gareth Roberts, was terrific,
Amid all the nice character work done here, the plot bounced along nicely, reaching a satisfying conclusion with the return of Missy and the Promised Land. It's obvious that this recurring setting will come into play come the series finale, and hopefully it will pay off. The Skovox Blitzer may not have been the greatest villain Doctor Who has ever produced, but it fit well with the episode and gave the characters enough to do to perfectly sustain the 45 minute runtime. While last week's Time Heist felt a bit cluttered, this plot was weighted faultlessly. Overall though, The Caretaker, while not as emotionally strong as other episodes this series, was probably the most enjoyable. It was a perfect example of pure television fun, executed well, and with some fantastic character work running at its core. Doctor Who will always have its naysayers and people who criticise the show for their respective reasons, but, for me, The Caretaker was another great episode in what is very likely to be an incredible series.
Also to be praised is Jenna Coleman, who gave her best performance yet in terms of both comic timing and emotional depth. In the space of six episodes, Moffat and Coleman have transformed Clara from potentially the show's weakest companion into a character that has a real connection with the audience that's worth investing time in. It makes me really hope the rumours of her leaving at Christmas are untrue. Capaldi was, as ever, incredible. He is proving himself to be the most versatile Doctor that the show has seen since it's revival, and Doctor Who is all the better for it. And, finally, Anderson gave a terrific performance as Danny, who is probably already the best male sidekick Doctor Who has ever produced. It's been so refreshing to watch Clara and Danny's relationship grow throughout the series, rather than have them together at the beginning. Series 8's new found focus on character has really allowed Moffat to write these characters with more content; his scripting here, along with Gareth Roberts, was terrific,
Amid all the nice character work done here, the plot bounced along nicely, reaching a satisfying conclusion with the return of Missy and the Promised Land. It's obvious that this recurring setting will come into play come the series finale, and hopefully it will pay off. The Skovox Blitzer may not have been the greatest villain Doctor Who has ever produced, but it fit well with the episode and gave the characters enough to do to perfectly sustain the 45 minute runtime. While last week's Time Heist felt a bit cluttered, this plot was weighted faultlessly. Overall though, The Caretaker, while not as emotionally strong as other episodes this series, was probably the most enjoyable. It was a perfect example of pure television fun, executed well, and with some fantastic character work running at its core. Doctor Who will always have its naysayers and people who criticise the show for their respective reasons, but, for me, The Caretaker was another great episode in what is very likely to be an incredible series.
helpful•3111
- ryanjmorris
- Oct 4, 2014
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- Runtime45 minutes
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